The Right of Way 209 



nerves and ready hand peering along this 

 bright shaft of light. If there was need of 

 vigilance by daylight, there was much 

 more need now. Then the distances were 

 vast, now it was only a few hundred feet in 

 their immediate front. 



By ten o'clock the train stopped again at 

 a small town to water the thirsty, panting 

 engine. But the towns were getting smaller 

 and the farm buildings more scattering. 



The engineer was busy oiling the engine 

 and did not see the boy of about fifteen 

 years until he clambered into the cab and 

 spoke to him. 



" How do you do, Mr. Bennett? " shouted 

 the boy in order to make himself heard 

 above the hissing of the locomotive. 



The engineer looked up quickly, return- 

 ing the lad's salutation and sticking out his 

 grimy hand for the boy's own. 



11 Well, I declare. How do you do, 

 Bennie?" he said. "I am glad enough to 



